A CARVED WOODEN PANEL WITH SHAIVITE FIGURAL DECORATION
PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE GERMAN COLLECTION
Southern India, early 20th century

Of rectangular shape, carved in relief and decorated with the typical composition associated with the celebration of Skanda's wedding, the Hindu god of War, the upper panel of these large compositions usually featuring Skanda's parents, Shiva and Parvati on the bull Nandi (centre), Skanda himself riding a peacock (right niche), and his brother, the elephant-headed Ganesha riding a mouse (left niche), squashed dwarfs holding up the Shaivite family group, flanked by semi-divine and mythical creatures and dvarapalas (fearsome guardians), a frame of rosettes encasing the panel, 21cm x 74.2cm.